Best Diaper Bag Essentials

Best Diaper Bag Essentials – The absolute best things to keep inside of your diaper bag all the time! You need to know these best diaper bag essentials.

Best Diaper Bag Essentials

The diaper bag: my old friend and occasional worst nightmare. When I had my oldest son I used to lug everything around with me in my bag; toys, spare onesies, spare socks, spare shoes, a nursing cover, the kitchen sink… it was a lot.

By the time baby #2 came around, I wised up and now focus on carrying ONLY the essentials in my bag, and keeping a bin of extra supplies in my car (changes of clothes, jackets, shoes, etc.). That way it’s always handy and accessible when I’m out… and it won’t make me lug around a 1,000-pound diaper bag.

I want to share with you what made the cut and is still in my bag. 

Here are my diaper bag essentials:

First of all… the diaper bag!

I’m on my 4th diaper bag in 6 years, and this is my favorite. Why? Becuase it’s not a diaper bag! I have more children now that I ever did, and I carry around less than I ever did. My best tip is to check out consignment stores and thrift shops first for big purses.

You’re going to be carrying this with you everywhere for the rest of eternity (not really… but it’ll feel like that if you hate your diaper bag)! You might as well like the way that it looks, right?

Things to keep in mind for a good diaper bag:

• sturdy construction
• low maintenance (if you love white bags, make sure that you’re ready to clean this bugger a lot)
• lots of pockets inside
• easy to clean lining on the inside
• roomy

You want your diaper bag to be large, but not too large. Otherwise, you’re more likely to overload it.

Related post: Prepare for a New Baby When You are Broke

Here are the things I keep in my diaper bag for my kids:

• Diapers – I’m a Costco addict for a reason. Their generic diapers work just as good as the “name-brand” but are MUCH more affordable. Just throw some in the bag, add a few to the back seat of the car just in case, and your little one will be set. No Costco membership, no problem! You can get Kirkland diapers on Amazon. (Side note: we DO cloth diaper. But when we go out on long car rides, disposables are the safest bet for us.)
• Wipes – Like the diapers, the wipes are so affordable, and really great quality. LOVE them!
• Hand sanitizer – Colds are no fun, and basically everything that kids touch is just covered in germs. They aren’t even allowed in the car without using hand sanitizer after being at the grocery store! Yes, I’m that mom.
• Moisturizer – My kids have the most outrageously sensitive skin! I keep moisturizer in my bag all the time just in case!
• Teething necklace – Teething necklaces are great for teething babies to chew on (instead of your favorite pieces of expensive jewelry). They’re also great to keep the baby occupied in the store.

Related post: Homemade Baby Food: How I Save $200 a Month Making My Own Baby Food

Here are some of the things I keep in my bag for ME:

• Gigantic Wallet – I need a big wallet to hold my envelope for my budget and for my old school check register. You can get an awesome wallet from TJ Maxx or Ross.
• Earbuds – I always keep a pair on-hand. Because sometimes hearing VeggieTales songs on repeat all day in the car is enough to drive me crazy.
• Bluetooth headset – Because it’s basically illegal to be on your phone in the car.
• Portable charger – Some days I hardly use my phone. Other days I can go from fully charged to empty in an hour flat. And I can’t be around an outlet all the time. The is the #phoneaddict / #momwin of the world. I like having one of these backup battery/portable chargers with me in my bag all the time. Just in case!
• SNACKS! – If you’re hangry and you know it clap your hands! No one likes a hangry mom… or kids!
• Coupon keyring – This is my favorite Pinterest tip ever! Instead of keeping your reward cards stuffed into your wallet, get a big key ring, punch holes in them (not on the barcode!), and store all of your coupon cards here! It’s important to keep coupons, rewards cards, and punch cards on-hand, but no one likes a bulky, cluttered wallet. This really is a lifesaver!
• Refillable water bottle – I take my 3 cup water bottle with me everywhere I go. Why? Because plastic water bottles are wasteful and expensive! Almost everywhere you go has a water fountain. If you need to fill up your water bottle and you’re out, fill it up right there. We all need to drink 8 cups of water a day, and it’s hard to remember to do that if you’re on the go. To help me make sure that I stay hydrated, I bring my favorite water bottle with me everywhere.

Related post: How I Afford to be a Stay at Home Mom

Moms, we’re allowed to have stuff in the diaper bags that we haul everywhere that’s for us! No, I’m not talking about food. I mean makeup! Here’s what I always keep in my diaper bag in case of running-out-the-door-so-fast-I’m-lucky-I’m not-still-in-my-PJs kinds of mornings.

• Maybelline New York Volum’ Express Pumped Up Colossal Waterproof Mascara – Takes your eyes from sleepy to WOW in 2 seconds.
• E.l.f. Eye Concealer and Highlighter – Really hides those I-haven’t-gotten-a-full-night’s-sleep-in-years bags under your eyes. I LOVE this stuff. If I can only apply ONE thing in the mornings, it’s this.
• EOS Lipbalm Sphere – I am sure we all have one (or five) of these rolling around in the purse, or car… right? No? Just me?
• – I got a FREE Julep Maven box in the mail and some of my favorite makeup pieces have come from the free Maven box. I use the highlighter to (try to) contour my face. I use the brow and eyeliner pencils daily. And their glossy lip tint is one of my favorites. You can FREE Julep Maven box, too!

Related post: 5 Things Your Newborn Doesn’t Need (And What You Should Get Instead!)

There you have it! All of my diaper bag essentials!

I keep things like extra clothes, socks, shoes, jackets, hats, gloves, and the kitchen sink in shoe organizers from the dollar store in the back of my car (thanks for the idea, Pinterest!) instead of in the diaper bag. It’s easier to keep track of, and then it doesn’t break my shoulder after 5 minutes on my arm!

More posts for mom essentials:

• The Only 5 Things Your Newborn Really Needs
• The Lazy Mom’s Guide to the Only Things You NEED to Do Every Day
• What You Need To Survive Postpartum
• Essential Oils You NEED In Pregnancy
• The Ultimate List of Everything You Need For Your Homebirth
• 20 Crazy Easy Green Cleaning Recipes
• Stop Paying Your Gym and Get Fit for Free
• Best Time Management Tips for Busy Moms
• How to Make Cloth Diapering Affordable

What’s on your list of best diaper bag essentials? 

 

 

 

 

 

Best Diaper Bag Essentials – The absolute best things to keep inside of your diaper bag all the time! You need to know these best diaper bag essentials.